Four Corners of the Earth by Brittany Hayward

OF THE A 4-PART EBOOK SPIRTUAL LIVING: AN UNSEEN PERSPECTIVE

WRITTEN BY BRITT HAYWARD WRITT6

CONTENT

THE HOLY SPIRIT

UPWARD GOALS

MOUNTAIN SIZED PLANS

NEVER BE THE SAME

BRITT HAYWARD

| PREFACE | Four corners of the Earth references Isaiah 11:12 Which reads: He will raise a banner for the nations and gather the exiles of Israel; he will assemble the scattered people of Judah from the four quarters of the earth. After reading this, some scholars thought during Bible times they assumed the world was flat. How would you physically reach all four corners of the earth? As much as I’m pretty sure the world is round, the way I see it is, if you follow Jesus you’ve stepped into a new perspective. Regardless if your life takes you physically to the ends of the earth or not, when Jesus is the purpose of your life- it expands, you start to look beyond what you can’t see and your life starts to heighten. The following 4 writings are a little of how I've understood that and what it looks like as a Christ follower. Hope you come to the same realization of what an amazing God we have. Let him expand your territory, life, and perspective.

“No obstacles are insurmountable when God commands and we obey.” ― Wilford Woodruff

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FOUR CORNERS OF THE EARTH

THE HOLY SPIRIT If you are familiar with church denominations, you may understand what Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m getting at. I was brought up Brethren at a quiet, and beautiful little church. Mostly our services were dotted with head coverings and solemn hymns. When I moved to Australia at 22 I attended a Hillsong- style outspoken mega church. Not only did my relationship and knowledge of God change, but God became exciting. The entire prospect of the Christian life became relevant. Filled with joy, future, hope, vision. God became life. Looking back, I understood that this was the power the Holy Spirit in me and flowing throughout the services. The way I pictured the Holy Spirit the other day was almost like space: dark, wild, unknown, something the human condition could never tame. Envisioning the spirit as space signifies the unknown, never ending, always discovering, expanding creation. I suppose, the ultimate realization of the spirit is humility. Coming to the place where you realize, what God / or does in me- I could never do. I realize, I could never create the cosmos. I could never journey the entirety of the galaxy, but this God who created the cosmos has bottled up his spirit inside me. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m continually reminded how much God loves his creation to not leave us the same, wanting us to keep moving, growing, expanding, living, breathing in the spirit.

Same power that conquered the grave lives in me, - Hillsong Worship Moving forward, I realized I wanted to understand the spirit more in my life. I wanted the Holy Spirit to move in me. I’ve learned, a mind attuned fixated on God’s scripture is unstoppable. To be led, shaped, changed and breathed by the Spirit I have to empty all my worrying, controlling before God. I realised that this same God who created the skies, the cosmos, also rose a man to life. And even after that man died, he wanted that spirit to reside in me. I don’t know how a human mind can always mentality grasp that. That’s what takes us from here to there. That is what becomes living proof, living change of the human being. That is our space odyssey. We define heights we never knew we could reach when God’s spirit lives in us. When we position ourselves in places that humbles us we are asking to be taken to a whole other level. This is a promise to post everywhere, around your house, to annoy your roommates. Christ is with us: regardless of your relationship status, a stay at home mom, a workaholic, Christ is with us. The spirit has been left in me as Jesus promised. “….. he’ll provide you another Friend so that you will always have someone with you. This Friend is the Spirit of Truth. The godless world can’t take him in because it doesn’t have eyes to see him, doesn’t know what to look for. But you know him already because he has been staying with you, and will even be in you! John 14:17 God’s spirit is an inner working enthusiasm. I’ve experienced is as an unexplainable joy that will just wash over you. God’s spirit confirms who we are joyously leads us in the direction for his glorious purpose. You’ve heard me tell you, ‘I’m going away, and I’m coming back.’ If you loved me, you would be glad that I’m on my way to the Father because the Father is the goal and purpose of my life. John 14:28 The cool thing about living by the spirit is obedience. The spirit is seriously awakened when you read the Bible. Its pages light up around you and purpose, life, joy, path and satisfaction finds you. Spirit led lives, here we come. 1) Humble yourself under the Spirit 2) Spend time with the God, the Spirit of the Universe 3) Obey, don’t look back and expect great things

Where the Spirit of the Lord is Chains are broken Eyes are open Christ is with us - Hillsong Worship

MOUNTAIN SIZED PLANS I love those mountain equipment brands, ones like Patagonia, Mountain Co-op, REI. They have great gear for the outdoorsy type. When you wear it, it represents something when worn. It says, you are an adventurer, and like most mountaineers, you carry the perception that all limits are possible. You pursue great heights and you run towards unattainable limits. A dear friend of mine recently went to South America hiking the Inca trail. She was struck with large bouts of elevation sickness throughout the time there. Yet she kept on climbing, she exclaimed it was the best ever, even though she was really sick! I’ve learned that God’s plans have no barriers, no limits. God initiatives surpass anything people could do. I’d like to say that I’m attracted to the mountain, the place we cannot obtain without God. We believe that when we come completely emptied, no plans, no ideas, God does greater things. God does miracles. Let’s seek opportunities where we can see the character of God. The person of God. The mountains, the trees, the humanly unattainable.

Essentially these are things that we have no control over. Things that I couldn’t have ORGANIC MAGAZINE created. Ideals that I couldn’t have come up with. Mountains are awe- inspiring because they reflect creation, the smallness of humanity and the grandeur of God. We are a living stone, embedded in a mountain scape. These mountains are only a fraction of God’s greatness. Only a fraction of what heaven is, only a fraction of God’s power. Yet he sees me, this living stone embedded in this huge mountain - nothing to him gets unnoticed. I believe we were made to scale mountains. Sometimes when I watch climbing documentaries I get a little tense, will they make it out alive!? Even more so though, is the human body made to scale those limits? As I question our physical limits and abilities, I believe our spirits were made to soar. Our spirits were made to climb, to soar to heights that we could never have imagined. With the mind of Christ and a heart postured for the kingdom I believe doors will open in our lives, and barriers will be broken for the furtherance of the name of Christ. I suppose the key to the mission of God are hearts that are emptied for God’s cause. What is God’s heart? That every person on planet earth would know who he really is. When you know who God is, you can’t help but feel love and give love to others. We’ve all got plans, but the biggest plans you could ever foresee are when you arrange your thoughts around the kingdom of God. God uses you as a vessel to make his name known in your current place. “Our bodies are residences for the Spirit of God to make a move. “We are lifeless bodies without Spirit. We must ask ourselves, what do we want our lives to be about? In the end, do we want it to be about me, or about others, about a cause that is greater. Giving up control lightens the load. It makes it easier for the door to open for even bigger things. It’s easier to scale a mountain with a lighter load. The less you have, the more you are freed up to the bigger things you’ve always wanted to do. So it’s time to plan a dream trip, give generously, save for your education, etc. In order to scale a mountain in your life, you must pack light. You don’t see mountaineers scaling the mountain with their bed frame, extra linens, a heater and a portion of their wardrobe. No. The best climbers are efficient packers. Bringing only what they need for the journey ahead. Some things have to be left behind if we want to do greater things.

16 | ORGANIC LIFESTYLE

For Your name, heart and soul My life is Yours a living stone For Your glory, heart and soul Surrendered all to build our home - Hillsong United What we need is more people letting go of things that are minimal enabling them to step into bigger things, kingdom minded things for a bigger life, a bigger cause : the cause of love on earth. That love surrounds us, is within us. . 1) Think of things you don’t need. Get rid of things that you don’t need in your schedule, in your mind. Live only within your means so you can be freed up. 2) Set your mind to heaven. Do the work of seeking God. You now have more space and hopefully time to devote your time to him. Let God rework your priorities in life and be changed for bigger things. 3) Pray and Praise. You can’t do it alone. Ask God for help! And don’t be too serious about it. You’ve got a big journey ahead of you! Praise because you get to travel upwards with God, and the only thing that it boasts is good views. ORGANIC.COM

UPWARD GOALS Much of our North American mentality is obsessed with moving forward, getting better, leadership, productivity. But I realized my purpose on earth isn’t meant for that. It’s the trail that leads upwards. It’s the visual belief we have that God is in heaven, above us. All that is in our vicinity, all of this life. we never owned it in the first place! This vision, this expanse, all that is in our grasp: people, future, all of who you are, your personality, laugh, your entire being is meant to bring someone else fame. It is meant to represent God, represent heaven on earth. I believe there are inklings of heaven on earth. God’s design, God’s heart placed in each of us for promotion of eternal life, for lives of love. Each of us simply a messenger of a message. What purpose! What direction. There is no question in direction, life gets pretty simple when God’s around.

You’re blessed when you stay on course, walking steadily on the road revealed by God . You’re blessed when you follow his directions, doing your best to find him. That’s right—you don’t go off on your own; you walk straight along the road he set. Psalm 119:7 In every genre of life, we are created to point all things back to God. Whatever tool it is. Our fullness and wholeness in spirit and soul comes from the knowing, believing and doing what God has placed us on earth to do. When they say its all about Jesus, it’s true. When you have the knowledge that God created you, the knowledge of all that he is you can’t help but knowing that who you are is created for. Coming to know him and making him known, becomes your direction, passion and joy. When you are so immersed in God- your directions and trails change way. Your mind desires to mimic the mind of God. The mind of God is so much larger than any goal we could have on earth. Next thing you know your heart, your spirit, your soul, your entire person is bursting! You can’t contain this love that dwells within you. You get so occupied with furthering his purposes. You get so occupied with what God is doing around you and how you can be a part of it. When you direct your everyday life towards the purpose of everlasting living it starts to filter what is priority in life. People. People become your priority. There is beauty in your own personal relationship with God, but God didn’t just come for you- he came for ALL. When we come to know that God loves to create, that he created each of us, he can’t help to see our hearts healed and whole. I don’t understand the expanse of God, perhaps that’s why he is God, I am not. I won’t ever have all the answers to the questions here on earth. But I do know that this has made sense for me, for a long time. This life of love, the love that God breathes on my skin, each and everyday, even when I completely miss it- it’s there. I believe you can do bigger things than just self love, self positivity. I believe God in you- you can scale mountains, trek trails that are beyond your comfort zone, beyond your ability. I believe that no mountain will be your barrier. That, if for God, for the expanse of heaven, God will clear the way. Your work of art a mystery Beyond all earthly measure Your love for us a masterpiece Jesus our hope always Lift your eyes towards the sun. The meeting of humanity, the connection of God and man is here. The force of heaven draws us upward. God is everlasting, surpassing time and space we get invited to this whirlwind of life that soars around us. Our worries, our negativities, our jealousies, our wonderings, our revenge get washed away when we find ourselves immersed in the wholeness of God. Let all that you are reflect the love of God. You are alive right now because of God. There is no one beside God, no one more important to devote your time to- than this creator.

NEVER BE THE SAME Thanks to Jesus we are constantly changing. Jesus opened the door for us to never be the same. God is gracious enough to keep our hearts alive for his purpose. For the ultimate goal of bringing fame to his name. Reading the Bible brings light to our paths, to our daily grinds, opening the mindset and potential of each person to live intentionally for the purpose of bringing heaven to earth. I have to believe there is something higher, that our lives are made for bigger. I have to believe that we all can find unity in our differences, unity in a cause. The thing is that Jesus is all about is this element of uniqueness and originality. We all don't look or act the same, or have all the same interests. That typical image of a missionary having little material items in a hut somewhere in central Africa is totally cut out for some but the beautiful thing about our creator is that he made us all extremely different. 30

There is something to be said about a quiet faith, that is more effective, that goes the distance. What I'm trying to say is that, a missionary mentality is purposed for us all. Those who have said yes to who Jesus is have made the decision that life isn't about you, that in every area of your life you've chosen to live life a little differently. As others look on, they will see the spirit of God in you, spirit of peace, wisdom and real truth. SO want to move forward in this faith life? Ask God to give you that passion for who he is, his character and his heart. Ask for his eyes to see people as he does, ask for his heart for the world, for his peace and contentment in your soul. And ultimately, ask him for the will to surrender your mindset towards life. That your perspective would change as you work, raise your kids, meet up with friends, make a coffee, all with the bigger and brighter picture in mind. Love everyone you come in contact with, bring Gods character of hope, of peace of joy of ultimate healing to this broken world. When you love the world as God does, it changes the way you view your life. Be encouraged to know that your lives aren't as small as you think! The smallness you feel comes from within you. Your lives aren’t small, but you’re living them in a small way. I’m speaking as plainly as I can and with great affection. Open up your lives. Live openly and expansively! 2 Corinthians 6:11-13 There is something to be said about a creator that left heaven, became human and hung out with his creation for 30 some years. That's no lofty creator. That says something about the character of the king of earth. This is no ordinary kingdom story. This creator wanted to BE with his creation, not just admire in from afar, or judge it from afar or tell it what to do. That is a different image than sometimes we think God is about. God came down to set us free now, we are living our lives for him. For me the biggest experience of love is presence. God couldn't help it. He came to earth as a man, as Jesus and wanted to be with us. So this unity this inclusivity I'm talking about that's what God's all about; harmony and reconciliation with his people. A God with a heart this big, loves his creation. He wants the best for each individual he's created. How could we not shape our lives under a vision like that! All this hope and more is found in this all encompassing, compassionate God. Do it up friends, re-arrange your lives- in sync with God.

Open your Bible. It will change you and you will change your world.

BRITT HAYWARD

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